Defensive experience leads way for MCHS in 2015

The Morgan City High School football team will have to replace firepower from a year ago on offense.
However, the squad returns much of its defense that coach Scott Tregle hopes can be a strong point for the team.
Among the departures from last year’s offense are wide receiver Jaylen Jones, who signed with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri; and Kevon Marsh, who headed for Pearl River Community College.
Both were first-team All-District 7-4A selections in 2014, Jones at wide receiver and Marsh as an athlete.
Additionally, Marsh was a second-team selection at running back.
While the Tigers lost several playmakers from a year ago from a squad that finished 2-8, one positive is the team returns four offensive line starters, including second-team all-district senior center Hunter Vining.
Defensively, while the Tigers lost first-team All-District linebacker Anthony Rink to graduation, the team returns four second-team All-District selections in senior defensive linemen Dezin Young and Clifton Escort, and senior linebackers Zach Hillen and Andre Welsh.
The 2015 Tigers, second-year head coach Scott Tregle said, are a good group.
“They do everything I and the assistant coaches ask them to do,” Tregle said. “It’s a great group of kids. They work their tails off. They want to be out here, which is a big, big plus. They’re going to be a scrappy group. Not real big, not real, real fast, not super athletic as a whole, but we do have some good athletes. They’re just going to have to work. Keep working hard and work for some victories. It’s not going to come easy.”
The Tigers will continue to run their Wing-T offense but will add some new elements.
“We’re going to run more power inside running plays,” Tregle said.
Defensively, the Tigers will switch from a 40 defense in 2014 to a 50 defense.
Tregle will serve as the team’s offensive and defensive coordinator. Assistant coaches include Josh Montgomery (offensive line and linebackers), Jason Viator (offensive line), James Bennett Jr. (defensive line), Mike Calamia (defensive line), Duriel Singleton (defensive backs), Barret Rey (defensive backs), Robert Lee (running backs) and Joey Crappell (wide receivers, special teams and quarterbacks).
Below is a position-by-position look at the 2015 Tigers:
Quarterback
Morgan City is working four quarterbacks this preseason and could see playing time.
Senior Abram Hartley has the most experience after seeing playing time in 2014.
“He’s doing pretty good, practice wise,” Tregle said.
Other quarterbacks for the Tigers are sophomore Alex Brocato, who Tregle said has the second-most experience and played quarterback on the junior high level, and sophomores Taaj Daniels and Isaiah Escort.
Daniels has been working at quarterback in the wildcat and under center.
While Tregle said Escort doesn’t have football experience, the head coach said he does have the best arm among the Tigers’ signal callers.
Tregle said both Brocato and Daniels will be playing defense for the Tigers, too.
Running back
Tregle said the Tigers have two backs at each of their positions in the Wing T.
At the right wing back, the Tigers will feature junior Ethan Scioneaux and sophomore Trey Derouen, while at the left wing back spot, the Tigers will have junior Malik Phillips and sophomore Kalen Hillen.
“They all are underclassmen, so it’s going to be a learning experience for them,” Tregle said.
At fullback, the Tigers will feature Escort and junior Kedrick Scott.
Wide Receiver
The Tigers will feature junior Makye Richard at one wide receiver spot.
“He’s probably the best athlete on the team as far as going get the ball and speed and strength and height,” Tregle said.
When the Tigers use two wide receivers, they will be looking to juniors Robert Gould and Jarret Hawkins, or sophomore Logan Tingle to fill the other spot.
At tight end, the Tigers will play senior Dustin Harris.
“He’s worked his tail off,” Tregle said. “He’s a physical kid. One of our few seniors that we have that’s really going to help us out and we’re going to try to throw the ball to him a little bit.”
However, Harris will be blocking mainly, Tregle said.
Offensive line
Morgan City returns four starters on its offensive line in juniors Fred Ferguson at left tackle and Frank Rangel at left guard, Vining at center and junior James Bennett III at right tackle.
Senior Isaiah Morgel and sophomore Harlon Francis, who both will see time on defense, will be rotating at the right guard position for Morgan City.
Defensive Line
Morgan City’s defensive line will feature sophomore Gage Gros and junior Calvin Bergeron, who made starts at one defensive end position a year ago and will rotate at that spot this year.
Young will be the Tigers’ nose guard, while Escort will play the other defensive end spot.
Harris also will see time on the defensive line.
Linebackers
At the Tigers’ outside linebacker positions, Welsh and senior Lloyd Singleton will see time.
At the inside linebacker spots, Hillen and Scott will man the positions, while sophomore Chris Gant, who saw time a year ago, will be rotating in that spot.
Secondary
Junior Scott Comeaux will be Morgan City’s free safety this season, while Daniels will be the Tigers’ strong safety. Backing him up is junior Tanner Theriot.
At cornerback, Brocato, Richard, Phillips and Kalen Hillen will rotate at the two spots.
Special Teams
The Tigers have Singleton and Richard in the kicking game and at punter. Mario Sanchez also is working at kicker.
Schedule
Morgan City’s schedule begins with five straight nondistrict games before concluding with five District 7-4A contests.
Morgan City’s nondistrict slate includes Berwick, Sophie B. Wright, North Central, Cohen College Prep and Westminster Christian.
“I feel the first five weeks of the season, we need to come out and win some games and gain some confidence,” Tregle said.
In district, Morgan City will feature the same teams as a year ago in Ellender, South Terrebonne, Vandebilt Catholic and Assumption, while they will add South Lafourche, who has moved down from Class 5A, to the district schedule.
“Once we get into district, (if) we win two or three district games, we’re going to the playoffs,” Tregle said. “That’s the goal.”
Tregle said everyone in the district has improved with South Lafourche as the favorite.